Dux Hot Water awarded with an Australian International Design Mark for their Airoheat Subzero heat pump

Dux Hot Water has been awarded an Australian International Design Mark for its breakthrough Airoheat Subzero heat pump - one of the world's most efficient and environmentally friendly heat pump water heaters.

Announced at the 2008 Australian International Design Awards in May, Dux now joins the stable of GWA's other innovative household brands including Caroma Smartflush® toilets, Sebel sunlounge and Dorf Water Efficient Tapware which have all previously been awarded a Design Mark.

The Australian International Design Mark is a symbol and recognition of innovative industrial design. Marking its 50th year, "The Australian International Design Awards went global for the first time this year." said Ms Stephanie Watson, Manager, Australian International Design Awards. "For the first time, both Australian and internationally designed products were eligible to enter signifying the high quality of the Australian design."

Ms Watson, states the Australian International Design Awards is Australia's longest standing product design awards program. "We have a proud history of thorough testing and assessment by Australian and international design experts. The judges spend a week scrutinising all entries against rigorous criteria including innovation, visual/emotional appeal, functionality, quality and manufacture, ergonomics and safety, environmental sustainability and presentation," she said.

According to industry sources the cost to the community, to heat domestic hot water accounts for approximately 30 per cent of all domestic energy consumed. The Dux Airoheat heat pump can reduce this electrical energy consumption by up to 70 per cent, representing a considerable environmental and sustainable impact on carbon emissions.

Pat Pussell, Strategic Development Manager for Dux and the designer of the Airoheat heat pump, commented, "Dux creates the most efficient water heaters on the market and we are working towards making coal fired power stations obsolete. It is clear the judging panel at the Australian International Design Awards recognises the important environmental contribution made by the Airoheat system."

Due to its high operational efficiency levels achieved, the Airoheat heat pump attracts several State Government and Federal Government rebates making the total installed cost of the environmentally friendly heat pump water heater very attractive to Australian households.

Howard Lloyd, Marketing Manager Product at Dux, said, "We are delighted that the Airoheat has been recognised amongst so many high quality international designs across such varied product categories. Its exceptional quality, value and reliability are now recognised by the international design community."

The Australian International Design Awards is a division of Standards Australia and is Australia's only national product design awards program operating in the national interest. It was established in 1958 by the Industrial Design Council of Australia.